Hi Brenda, I grew up with the adult women in our family wearing aprons. when I got married, aprons were still the fashion. I actually collected them as still have about four. I wear them when working in the kitchen and thought about packing one to bring up to this home when I return from leave. Thanks for a wonderful post.

Believe it or not, my Mother still puts on a long apron, by long, I'm talking about like one in the photo, not a half apron, before she starts cooking a meal, then when the dishes are done up, she removes it and hangs it in the kitchen for the next time.

You know what I love about that apron? It looks so soft; as if has been washed many times. (Perfect for wiping faces and runny noses.) Your lovely poem encompasses the entire social history of this once commonplace thing!

It also reminds me of an anecdote I heard today when I was working at the Jane Austen House. One of the other stewards told me that a group of W.I. women had visited . . . and that while they were admiring the piano she had teased one of them into playing "Jerusalem" on it. After a few notes, some of the women started singing -- and then she said that they ALL started singing. We both teared up just thinking about it.

Oh, this brings back so many memories! My grandmother always wore an apron like this, not just around the kitchen, but yes, she would wear it to gather eggs in the hen-house. As a child, I had my own small apron, and I can remember my mother making fancy ones out of sheer material for wedding receptions and teas. I don't know why they went out of fashion--lord knows I should wear one, as messy as I am:)

I came over to visit your ABC post, which I enjoyed, but this tribute to the apron struck a chord with me. Thank you so much for posting this!

Hi Brenda,I love your apron post. My mother always wore an apron, and as a live in maid I wear a uniform dress and apron. Being born in England in the 30's you probably are aware of the typical "English" maids uniforms, well, my employer prefers the traditional maids style uniform. My aprons are not only for keeping dresses clean they are also a statement "maid on duty"...

And women used to dress up much more around the house than we do now. They had to wear aprons in order to protect nice clothes and, as you say, washing, drying, and ironing were much more of chore then than they are now.

Love it, I was thinking not too long ago "whatever happened to people wearing aprons?". It seems like even chefs have done away with them... they of course have coats & uniforms they wear, which are white... how crazy, you'd think they'd choose a color that wouldn't stain so easily!

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About Me

Born in England in 1931. Evacuated in World War 2. Trained as a teacher at Brighton Training College, Sussex. Taught in London. Moved to Zimbabwe. Seven years later worked on a mail ship. Married Malcolm in Capetown. Two children, Rebecca and Greg. Moved to Australia in 1974. After retirement worked for a publisher. Three grandsons, Blake, Harry and Max.